News and Updates

John, an American entrepreneur, saw Portugal not just as a scenic backdrop but as a land of opportunity for his business ventures. His entrepreneurial spirit led him to delve deep into the intricacies of US taxation for expatriates, a realm fraught with complexities and potential pitfalls. While he was adept at managing the operational aspects […]

As we reflect on the close of 2023, it’s with immense gratitude and a sense of fulfillment that we at Bright!Tax share an exciting update for our ongoing philanthropic endeavor – Bright!Lights.  Nestled in the heart of our vibrant global community, Argentina holds a special place as one of our main hubs. With a significant […]

Every year, the IRS publishes an Annual Report. This report functions as a report card of sorts, dutifully noting its accomplishments and challenges.  In 2022, the IRS collected over $4.9 trillion in gross revenue to fund much of the federal government. These funds go to supporting federal infrastructures, including our national parks, air traffic control, […]

On December 30th, 2022, the IRS made an announcement concerning a delay in the temporary US Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) requirement associated with the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act, commonly referred to as FATCA. This announcement principally concerns a group called “accidental Americans.”  Accidental Americans are Americans who have spent little to no time living […]

United States Expats: Did you receive your three COVID-19 stimulus payments from the IRS? If not, you could be eligible to claim up to $3,400, but you need to act soon. Important context: The stimulus checks relate to the federal government’s initiative to offer some financial relief to individuals and families in the wake of […]

Say what? According to an audit by the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA), the IRS destroyed over 30 million paper-filed return documents in March 2021.  The news generated quite a lot of controversy among the tax community and members of Congress. In this blog post, we’ll cover why the IRS burned these 30 […]

Americans have worked within a citizenship-based taxation system for well over 100 years. In other words, US citizens (as well as permanent residents) must report their worldwide income and file a federal tax return annually. Only in the last decade has this had any real impact on Americans living abroad. The Foreign Account Tax Compliance […]

The Bright!Tax Awards Committee is proud to announce that Natalie Heath has become the twelfth recipient of the Bright!Tax Global Scholar Award. The Award is a biannual scholarship for ambitious, inspirational young Americans who are studying overseas. Bright!Tax is the leading provider of US tax services for the 10 million Americans living abroad. Bright!Tax founder […]

Bright!Tax COO, partner, and Senior Managing CPA Katelynn Minott has been recognized for her groundbreaking contribution to the accounting profession with a 2021 CPA Practice Advisor 40 Under 40 award. The CPA Practice Advisor 40 Under 40 Awards recognize thought leaders who are transforming the accounting profession through their exemplary leadership, innovative thinking, and community outreach which […]